pilot whale
noun
: either of two dark gray to black, medium-sized toothed whales (Globicephala melas and G. macrorhynchus) of temperate to tropical waters that have a large rounded forehead and short snout and typically feed on squid and small fish
called also blackfish
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, a survey of Faroese adults revealed that 7 percent of respondents consumed pilot whale meat and blubber regularly with almost half (47 percent) admitting they rarely or never ate them. 
Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2021 Last autumn, a pilot whale washed up on a cobblestone beach in Nova Scotia that happens to be Jane Alexander's yard. Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2021 Three pilot whales had beached and died two months earlier in a stranding that killed 21 animals in all. David Brown, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2020 Two months before the stranding, about 50 pilot whales had come ashore on St. Simons Island. David Brown, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2020 About 26 total pilot whales were spotted in the area, George said, and crews were searching the nearby waters for signs of any more strandings. Russ Bynum, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2019 In July about 50 pilot whales beached themselves on the Georgia coast for unknown reasons. CBS News, 30 Sep. 2019 In July, dozens of beachgoers stepped in to help at least 47 pilot whales beached on south Georgia's St. Simons Island. Jay Croft, CNN, 28 Sep. 2019 Visitors will not only explore submarine feeding stations attracting large pelagic fish like manta rays and pilot whales, but gain a deeper understanding of one of the world’s most isolated societies. Brandon Presser, Harper's BAZAAR, 30 Dec. 2019 See More
Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2021 Last autumn, a pilot whale washed up on a cobblestone beach in Nova Scotia that happens to be Jane Alexander's yard. Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2021 Three pilot whales had beached and died two months earlier in a stranding that killed 21 animals in all. David Brown, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2020 Two months before the stranding, about 50 pilot whales had come ashore on St. Simons Island. David Brown, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2020 About 26 total pilot whales were spotted in the area, George said, and crews were searching the nearby waters for signs of any more strandings. Russ Bynum, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2019 In July about 50 pilot whales beached themselves on the Georgia coast for unknown reasons. CBS News, 30 Sep. 2019 In July, dozens of beachgoers stepped in to help at least 47 pilot whales beached on south Georgia's St. Simons Island. Jay Croft, CNN, 28 Sep. 2019 Visitors will not only explore submarine feeding stations attracting large pelagic fish like manta rays and pilot whales, but gain a deeper understanding of one of the world’s most isolated societies. Brandon Presser, Harper's BAZAAR, 30 Dec. 2019 See More Word History
First Known Use
1867, in the meaning defined above